NEW YORK — Duane Reade has broadened availability of H1N1 flu shots to 19 locations throughout New York City’s boroughs.

The drug chain, which operates more than 250 stores across metropolitan New York, began providing H1N1 vaccinations via flu shot clinics at several locations in the city in late December.

Duane Reade on Thursday said it plans to hold weekend H1N1 flu shot clinics on January 9 and 10 and January 16 and 17 at three locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. The retailer also has scheduled weekday H1N1 immunization clinics at 11 stores in Manhattan and five stores in Brooklyn for January 11 to 15.

In both the weekend and weekday clinics, the shots are being offered from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on a walk-in basis for $20.

Duane Reade added that it plans to hold additional clinics through the end of March and that it’s offering its H1N1 vaccine services to New York businesses and their employees. 

The pharmacy chain is urging customers to visit its web site at www.duanereade.com/FluShots.aspx for the latest information on the H1N1 immunizations and store locations where they can receive the vaccination. Customers also can call the customer-service hotline at 1-866-DR-LOYAL or sign up to receive mobile alerts on Duane Reade stores where the vaccine will be available. For the mobile alerts, users text "flu" to 63103 and follow the instructions when prompted. Businesses interested in on-site vaccination services also can call the 1-866-DR-LOYAL number for more information.

Citing statistics from the New York City Department of Health, Duane Reade said that from May through December 2009 at least 2,500 New York City residents were hospitalized as a result of H1N1. The chain also noted that local and state government officials, including New York Gov. David Paterson, are actively encouraging all New Yorkers to get vaccinated as soon as possible.